Icons and taskbar do not load upon bootup

[Dipis]

3 of the 4 user accounts on my PC do not load icons or related programs in
the system tray, just see the wallpaper for each. For the one that does
load, it states the internet connection is not there even though it works
wirelessly (via the attached router) with my work laptop.

When run in safe mode the icons do show up....

 

[Leonard Grey]

To start: Please let us know what version of Windows you have (including
the service pack) when posting to this newsgroup.

You don't say what the "icons or related programs in the system tray"
are. If the three accounts affected are not Administrator accounts, that
may be perfectly normal. Not all software puts an icon in the system
tray of an account with restricted permissions.

Also: You may not have installed the mystery programs in the other
users' accounts.

Also: The icons may be hidden, since Windows can be configured to hide
tray icons not frequently used. Do you see a leftward-pointing arrow in
the system tray (gray, I believe)?

 

[Dipis]

When I get home I'll get the version of XP including the SP that is loaded.

There are no icons or programs loading at all (as far as I can tell) for the
3 user accounts in question. Normally the Macaffe virus, Counterspy, sound,
and all the "normal" startup programs are there. All 4 accounts are listed
as Admin accounts so don't understand at all why only one is working/loading
properly? I'm not certain which programs were loaded under what user account
but the user account most frequently used, and of which most of the programs
were loaded while using that account, is not available due to this situation.
I know what you mean by the arrow but on the 3 accounts the entire screeen
is blank except for the wallpaper that was used for each.

Again they appear when booting up in Safe mode.

There is something very wrong as I had a cable internet connection and now
that appears defective even under the user account that loads properly. As I
mentioned the internet cable box is working as the router still is
broadcasting properly.

 

[Richard]

There are no icons or programs loading at all (as far as I can tell) for
the
3 user accounts in question. Normally the Macaffe virus, Counterspy,
sound,
and all the "normal" startup programs are there. All 4 accounts are
listed
as Admin accounts so don't understand at all why only one is
working/loading
properly?

I don't have any ideas why the accounts are abnormal except you might want
to start considering the possibility of malware or virus. You mention that
all accounts are set up as "Admin" accounts. You might want to re-consider
your setup in light of the following quote from Windows HELP:

[begin quote:]
Why you should not run your computer as an administrator

Running Windows 2000 or Windows XP as an administrator makes the system
vulnerable to Trojan horses and other security risks. The simple act of
visiting an Internet site can be extremely damaging to the system. An
unfamiliar Internet site may have Trojan horse code that can be downloaded
to the system and executed. If you are logged on with administrator
privileges, a Trojan horse could do things like reformat your hard drive,
delete all your files, create a new user account with administrative access,
and so on.

You should add yourself to the Users or Power Users group. When you log on
as a member of the Users group, you can perform routine tasks, including
running programs and visiting Internet sites, without exposing your computer
to unnecessary risk. As a member of the Power Users group, you can perform
routine tasks and you can also install programs, add printers, and use most
Control Panel items. If you need to perform administrative tasks, such as
upgrading the operating system or configuring system parameters, then log
off and log back on as an administrator.
[:end quote]

FWIW. --Richard

 

[Dipis]

Richard thanks. That appears what has happened in this case. I pulled the
drive out and scanned it externally using my laptop from work and it
discovered some bad things including a Trojan. Thanks for the advice about
using the Admin accounts, once back up and running I will switch the accounts
to a PowerUser account as pointed out below.

Thanks much appreciated....

There are no icons or programs loading at all (as far as I can tell) for
the
3 user accounts in question. Normally the Macaffe virus, Counterspy,
sound,
and all the "normal" startup programs are there. All 4 accounts are
listed
as Admin accounts so don't understand at all why only one is
working/loading
properly?

I don't have any ideas why the accounts are abnormal except you might want
to start considering the possibility of malware or virus. You mention that
all accounts are set up as "Admin" accounts. You might want to re-consider
your setup in light of the following quote from Windows HELP:

[begin quote:]
Why you should not run your computer as an administrator

Running Windows 2000 or Windows XP as an administrator makes the system
vulnerable to Trojan horses and other security risks. The simple act of
visiting an Internet site can be extremely damaging to the system. An
unfamiliar Internet site may have Trojan horse code that can be downloaded
to the system and executed. If you are logged on with administrator
privileges, a Trojan horse could do things like reformat your hard drive,
delete all your files, create a new user account with administrative access,
and so on.

You should add yourself to the Users or Power Users group. When you log on
as a member of the Users group, you can perform routine tasks, including
running programs and visiting Internet sites, without exposing your computer
to unnecessary risk. As a member of the Power Users group, you can perform
routine tasks and you can also install programs, add printers, and use most
Control Panel items. If you need to perform administrative tasks, such as
upgrading the operating system or configuring system parameters, then log
off and log back on as an administrator.
[:end quote]

FWIW. --Richard